Pinoy helps passenger recover stolen pouch with $82,500

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - A Filipino working for Qatar Airways was honored by the Philippine Overseas Labour Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) for helping recover cash stolen from a passenger at Doha International Airport (DIA) last year.

The Gulf Times reported Rodel Vinluan received a citation during the Migrant Workers Day celebration held by POLO-OWWA last Sunday.

According to the circular from the labour office, the passenger was travelling to Istanbul on Pegasus Air flight PC601 on January 18 when he reported to the DIA that he lost his pouch containing $82,500.

Vinluan was hailed for quickly responding to the passengers’ situation. He was able to identify the people who stole the money from the unsuspecting passenger by reviewing the footage.

He was able to recover the stolen pouch from the culprits identified as “a group of other nationalities.”

The money was returned to the passenger with the help of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) personnel, and Qatar Airways personnel.

Since 2001, Vinluan has been with Qatar Airways as a CCTV and access control security agent.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker lauded Vinluan for his “excellent service he provided to a passenger in need and demonstrated the value of an effective security team provides at DIA”.

A similar incident was reported by the Philippine Embassy in Doha, wherein the group also gave a special recognition to Jayson Castillo for returning a leather pouch he found containing QR50,000, an iPhone, and a QR200,000-worth check.